It seems that Apple may be collecting data on all iPhone users worldwide by a string of code hidden in the Weather and Stocks applications. What’s more, iPhone users have given them permission by signing the Apple Terms of Service.

Uneasy Silence reports the discovery of this hidden piece of code which basically sends data about the user back to Apple HQ. The code tracks the IEMI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) numbers of all iPhones worldwide, as well as data personal to the user.

“This let[s] Apple knows which app you are using when connecting with your iPhone. Obviously, they know the IP address you were using, the stocks companies you are interested [in], and so they can track down their customers all around the world. This also proves that there are probably other apps that do the same. Weather.app is also acting the same way.”

Now okay, no-one is saying that it really matters about the data you are viewing on weather, and if Apple wants to view that then so be it, but stocks are more of a worry. Plus it’s the basic fact that Apple seems to be tracking customers to a higher degree than anyone thought, and more so than any other mobile phone manufacturer or service provider, that’s the real concern.

If you try and modify the code in any way, so as not to allow Apple to collect this data, then the application stops allowing you to retrieve any information in the first place.

Hackers are said to be working on a solution, but legally there’s really no recourse, because having signed the Apple Terms of Service agreement, you have waived any right to privacy of this nature:

‘When you interact with Apple, we may collect personal information relevant to the situation, such as your name, mailing address, phone number, email address, and contact preferences; your credit card information and information about the Apple products you own, such as their serial numbers and date of purchase; and information relating to a support or service issue.’

In effect, if this conspiracy theory proves to be true, which judging by the proof that Uneasy Silence are providing, and the reactions from around the blogosphere, seems likely, it means Apple has the capacity to build quite detailed profiles on any and all iPhone users out there. Scary, and just further proof that Apple is becoming more monopolistic and Microsoft-like by the day.

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Entry was posted on Monday, November 19th, 2007 at 3:58 pm under Apple, Cell phones.

Read more entries by Dave Parrack.
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